Browns vs. Bills: 3 keys for Buffalo's defense in Week 15

Browns vs. Bills: 3 keys for Buffalo's defense in Week 15

The Buffalo Bills (6-7) will look to erase a two-game losing streak and rebound against the winless Cleveland Browns (0-13) at New Era Field in Week 15.

The Browns enter the matchup with the third-worst offense in the NFL (309.2 yards-per-game). Quarterback Robert Griffin III is back in the lineup after missing the team’s first 12 games with a shoulder injury.

Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus said to the media on Wednesday that it’s a guarantee Buffalo will prevail over the Browns, but Griffin took notice of Dareus’ outlandish comments, saying ‘no one wants to be that team that gets beat by us’.

Here are three keys to success Buffalo’s defense in order to avoid an embarrassing loss.

Pressure the quarterback

Griffin hasn’t had much success when he’s been under pressure this season.

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When played under pressure, Griffin has completed only 35.7-percent of his passes for 67 yards while being sacked five times on 22 drop backs. When blitzed, he has a 45.5-percent completion rate for 65 yards and a horrendous 26.7 passer rating on 14 dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus.

The Bills will need their pass rush to get after Griffin in order to win.

Shut down the run

The Browns are fresh off a 169-yard rushing performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14 and their game plan will be no different heading into Week 15 against the Bills.

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The duo of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson along with the mobile aspect of Griffin will cause problems for Buffalo’s 28th ranked run defense (125.8 yards-per-game) if they don’t eliminate their strongest asset.

The Browns are at their best when they call run plays to the left side, especially behind their left guard Joel Bitonio. The Browns have rushed for 103 yards on 13 attempts for a whopping 7.9 yards-per-carry when running behind Bitonio, per PFF.

Limit big plays

In spite of their record, the Browns have the weapons to create big plays.

Griffin’s arm talent has the capability to threaten all levels of a defense. Crowell is averaging an impressive 4.6 yards-per-carry on the season and Johnson is a threat in the run and pass game.

Wide receivers Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman have the speed and/or physicality to threaten defenses over the top and tight end Gary Barnidge is vastly underrated.

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As crazy as it sounds, the entire Bills defense will have to be on high alert when tasked against the multiple offense Cleveland presents. It’ll be vital for Buffalo to keep the play in front of them to slow down the Browns’ big-play ability to secure their seventh win of 2016.

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